Morphology-Dependent Electrochemical Properties of CuS Hierarchical Superstructures

• Published in: Chemphyschem 2015-11, Vol.16 (16), p.3418-3424
• Main Authors: Hosseinpour, Zahra, Scarpellini, Alice, Najafishirtari, Sharif, Marras, Sergio, Colombo, Massimo, Alemi, Abdolali, Volder, Michaël De, George, Chandramohan, Lesnyak, Vladimir
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: colloidal synthesis; covellite; electrochemistry; lithium-ion batteries; Nanoparticles; nanostructures
• ISSN: 1439-4235; 1439-7641
• DOI: 10.1002/cphc.201500568

Hierarchical superstructures formed by self‐assembled nanoparticles exhibit interesting electrochemical properties that can potentially be exploited in Li‐ion batteries (LIBs) as possible electrode materials. In this work, we tested two different morphologies of CuS superstructures for electrodes, namely, tubular dandelion‐like and ball‐like assemblies, both of which are composed of similar small covellite nanoparticles. These two CuS morphologies are characterized by their markedly different electrochemical performances, suggesting that their complex structures/morphologies influence the electrochemical properties. At 1.12 A g−1, the cells made with CuS tubular structures delivered about 420 mAh g−1, and at 0.56 A g−1, the capacity was as high as about 500 mAh g−1 with good capacity retention. Their ease of preparation and processing, together with good electrochemical performance, make CuS tubular dandelion‐like clusters attractive for developing low‐cost LIBs based on conversion reactions. Flower power! Two different morphologies of CuS superstructures were tested as electrodes in Li‐ion batteries: tubular dandelion‐like and ball‐like assemblies composed of small covellite nanoparticles. These two morphologies showed markedly different performances, suggesting that their complex structures potentially influence the electrochemical properties.